But now investigators will be hoping Marilou can offer some clue as to what drove her boyfriend of several years to massacre 59 people and injure more than 500 with an terrifying arsenal of guns he built up over years.

Stephen Paddock, 64, had no criminal record, links to a terror group or history of mental illness

A troubled relationship?

Marilou is thought to have met Stephen Paddock several years ago while working as a high-limit hostess at a casino in Reno, Nevada.

She was married to Geary Danley before they divorced in 2014.

His family told reporters: "Our family doesn’t know Stephen Paddock and has had no knowledge of Marilou’s relationship with Paddock.

"Marilou’s is our ex step-mom. She is a good and gentle person and I know she has to be devastated by what has happened."

People hug and cry outside the Thomas & Mack Center after a mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival (Image: Getty Images North America)